High strength paper and process of manufacture

ABSTRACT

A preparation of high strength paper by incorporating a polymeric film into the paper web during the paper making process is provided. The polymeric film is either a cold water soluble film or hot water soluble film or water insoluble hydrophilic film or non soluble non hydrophilic film or a combination of cold+hot+cold water soluble film or cold+hot water soluble film or cold+non soluble hydrophilic film or cold+non soluble hydrophilic film+cold water soluble film or cold+non soluble non hydrophilic film or cold+non soluble non hydrophilic film+cold water soluble film or slit strips of one or many of these combinations woven or intertwined offline and incorporated into the paper during the paper making process. Zone coating or discreet printing or zone extrusion striping or formation of hot water soluble film on preformed cold water soluble film which is then inserted into paper during the paper making process, thus using cold water soluble film as a carrier is also provided. The combination of the water soluble film(s) may be plain or wholly or partially perforated.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a National Stage application of InternationalApplication No. PCT/IN2006/000099, filed on Mar. 22, 2006, which claimspriority of Indian application number 311/MUM/2005, filed on Mar. 22,2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to high strength paper and to the processmanufacturing high strength paper.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Various types of paper, with or without lamination, to achieve enhancedstrength, texture, and functionality are known.

For example U.S. Pat. No. 5,993,953 describes a laminated paper,including a water soluble polyvinyl alcohol layer, having selective airpermeability and lengthwise softness for application as a cushioningmaterial. The laminated paper comprises a paper base, and water solublePVA laminated over the entire surface of the paper base, either by usinga PVA strain adhesive or by extrusion lamination using a cold watersoluble plastic PVA resin.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,958,180 discloses a method of increasing the strength ofpaper or paperboard product by specially treating the cellulosic fibersto significantly increase their inter fiber bonding strength. The papermade from such fibers exhibits overall improved dimensional stability.Such processes are elaborate and require intricate process steps makingthem expensive. The use of external adhesive and offline laminationmethod renders these papers as an expensive proposition.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,786,064 describes an apparatus for producing abreathable high strength paper/plastic film laminate fabric sheetingcapable of being cut, sewn to manufacture garments. In this apparatus, aweb of metallised paper and a web of oriented synthetic plastic filmwhose inner surface is corona discharge treated before being coated witha water based adhesive are concurrently fed in superposed relating intocombining rolls to effect cold lamination of the webs to yield alaminate sheeting in which the orientation of the film web isunimpaired. The laminate sheeting emerging from the combination rolls isthen foraminated to render the sheeting permeable only to moisturevapour, whereby the foraminated sheeting has fabric properties and canbe tailored to garments.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,692,211 describes a process for the preparation of highstrength cellulosic gel containing kraft paper by mechanically refiningkraft papermaking pulp to an appropriate freeness, mixing the resultingrefined pulp with hydrated cellulosic gel binder running the resultingfluid into a felted sheet and pressing and drying the sheet to form thekraft paper product.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,694,702 teaches the art of enhancing cross-directionalstretch and tensile energy absorption during paper manufacture. Anunrestrained drying capability is added to an existing series ofrotating drying cylinders in a cost and space efficient manner toachieve the desired result.

It is clear from the existing prior art that the methods forstrengthening paper are complex involving the use of selectiveadhesives, extrusion lamination, fiber strengthening, coating using coldlamination, laminate sheeting followed by its formation, mechanicallyrefining kraft paper pulp followed by mixing of hydrated cellulosic gelbinder and enhancing cross directional stretch by unrestrained dryingetc.

The long felt need of the paper industry especially involvingmanufacturing of bank note papers, paper based security products,packaging require non tamperable high strength paper that is capable ofbeing processed by diverse means. None of the methods described in theprior art or in current practice are capable of making paper of thedesired strength and security parameters in a simple and cost effectivemanner.

The present invention has been made from a consideration of theforegoing and seeks to provide a high strength paper and method ofmanufacturing such paper that overcome or mitigates at least some of theproblems of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, a method of making a highstrength paper by incorporating a polymeric film into the paper webduring the paper making process is provided.

As used hereinafter in the description and claims, the following termsshall have the defined meaning.

WSF (water soluble film): By definition shall mean Water Soluble film(s)of all types. WSF can be manufactured by a process of direct casting ona conveyor, by casting on a detachable liner, by casting from a T-diecasting, by blowing film on extrusion machines, or by extrusion viaT-die extrusion. The formulation of the WSF shall determine thetemperature of water in which the WSF shall easily dissolve. This rangeof water temperature varies between 5° C. to 100° C. For the purpose ofthis invention, it is clarified that WSF encompass all types of WSF madefrom any of the above methods, including direct coating of WSF filmforming resins.

For the purpose of this invention, it is clarified that CWSF means coldwater soluble film, which becomes tacky, breaks and finally dissolves ina temperature ranging from 5° C. to 40° C., preferably from 10° C. to40° C., more preferably from 20° C. to 40° C. The time of tack, breakand dissolution of the CWSF shall range between 1 second to 3 minutesupon contact with water/water pulp slurry. However, this shall dependupon the CWSF formulation.

Similarly, for the purpose of this invention, it is clarified that HWSFmeans hot water soluble film, which shall become tacky, break andfinally dissolve in a temperature ranging from 40° C. to 100° C.,preferably from 45° C. to 90° C., more preferably from 50° C. to 85° C.The time of tack, break and dissolution of the HWSF shall range between5 seconds to 5 minutes upon contact with hot water/water pulp slurry.However, this shall depend upon the HWSF formulation.

Similarly, for the purpose of this invention, it is clarified that NSHFmeans non soluble hydrophilic film, which shall become tacky and maybreak/crack at certain places but shall not dissolve on contact withwater/water pulp slurry. The tack and break time shall range between 7seconds to 10 minutes, which can depend upon the formulation of the nonsoluble hydrophilic film and the temperature of water.

The water soluble films mentioned in this invention are made frommaterials selected from various film forming resins, such as polyvinylalcohol copolymer ionomers, polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer, non-ionomericpoly vinyl alcohol polymer, polymethacrylate, polyvinyl alcohol,polyacrylamide, polymethacrylamide, polyacrylic acid, polymethacrylicacid, polyurethane, polyethyleneglycol, polyvinylpyrrolidone,proteinaceous binders such as gelatin, modified gelatins such asphthaloyl gelatin, polysaccharides such as starch, gum Arabic, pullulanand dextrin and water soluble cellulose derivatives or combinationthereof. The cellulose derivatives used are methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose, hydroxy propyl ethylcellulose, hydroxy ethyl cellulose, carboxy methyl cellulose. However,these are by no means limiting.

Addition and inclusion of certain additives, such as ammonium chlorideand other such alkaline chemicals will render the film to be non solublehydrophilic film.

NSNHF: This is a non soluble non hydrophilic type of film. This type offilm is readily available in the market and can be selected from PP(Poly propylene), PE (Poly ethylene), LDPE (Low density poly ethylene),HDPE (high density polyethylene), LLDPE (Linear low densitypolyethylene), HIPS (High impact polystyrene), HMHDPE (High molecularhigh density polyethylene), BOPP (Biaxially oriented poly propylene).However, these are by no means limiting.

This non soluble non hydrophilic film can also be made out ofbiodegradable materials such as PLA (Poly Lactic Acid), PHA(polyhydroxyalkanoic acid), thermoplastic starch materials orbiodegradable polyesters such as ecoflex.

NSNHF is necessarily combined with a layer of CWSF polymer on one orboth sides, depending upon its end use.

Film combinations: The films used for increasing the strength of thepaper may be a cold or hot water soluble film or non soluble hydrophilicfilm or non soluble non hydrophilic film or a combination of these filmsas mentioned below:

-   -   1. CWSF+HWSF: This is a combination of cold and hot water        soluble films wherein the cold/hot water soluble is        cast/coated/laminated onto the hot/cold water soluble film.    -   2. CWSF+HWSF+CWSF: This is a combination of water soluble films        wherein the hot water soluble film will be between two cold        water soluble films.    -   3. CWSF+NSHF: This is a combination of cold water soluble and        non soluble hydrophilic films wherein the NSHF/CWSF is        cast/coated/laminated on the CWSF/NSHF film.    -   4. CWSF+NSHF+CWSF: This is a combination of cold water        soluble/non soluble hydrophilic/cold water soluble films wherein        the NSHF will be between two cold water soluble films.    -   5. CWSF+NSNHF: This is a combination of cold water soluble and        non soluble non hydrophilic film wherein the NSNHF/CWSF is        cast/coated/laminated on the CWSF/NSNHF film.    -   6. CWSF+NSNHF+CWSF: This is a combination of cold water        soluble/non soluble non hydrophilic/cold water soluble films        wherein the NSNHF will be between two cold water soluble films.    -   7. Machine direction strips matrix: Strips of polymeric film        inserted/cast/coated onto another polymeric film. This        combination can be formed by zone coating or discreet printing        or zone extrusion striping or formation of a film on another        polymeric film which is then inserted into paper during the        paper making process.    -   8. Woven tape matrix: Strips of polymeric film or PVA threads        woven by a warp and weft method. Here the polymeric films or its        combinations as described before, are slit into microtapes        having a width in the range of 3 mm to 15 mm, preferably 4 mm to        10 mm, more preferably 5 mm to 7 mm. However, this range is by        no means limiting. The size of the PVA threads ranges from 50        deniers to 1000 deniers, preferably 150 deniers to 700 deniers,        more preferably from 300 deniers to 500 deniers. However, this        range is by no means limiting. These tapes or threads are woven        offline into a warp and weft, as can be seen in a fabric making        machine, and a continuous matrix is made in a roll form. These        tapes can be inserted into a pulp-paper web in a combination of        MD (machine direction) and CD (cross direction).    -   9. Films With Perforations: Any of the above mentioned films or        combination of films could be perforated at random places,        discreet places or all over. These perforations can be done by        various methods, such as hot needles, mechanical/needle covered        rollers, pneumatic/mechanical perforation machines etc. However,        these methods are by no means limiting.

Paper pulp: The paper pulp used for manufacturing this high strengthpaper is selected from a mixture of fibers of hardwood and softwood,cotton fibres such as cotton linters and cotton rags, linen, flax, jute,hemp, kozo, mitsumata, gampi, grass fibres such as esparto, bamboo,giant nettle, rice straw and rattan; and wood pulp. However, these areby no means limiting.

The polymeric film may be a cold water soluble film or hot water solublefilm or water insoluble hydrophilic film or water insoluble nonhydrophilic film or a combination of cold+hot+cold water soluble film orcold+hot water soluble film or cold+non soluble hydrophilic film orcold+non soluble hydrophilic+cold water soluble film or cold+non solublenon hydrophilic film or cold+non soluble non hydrophilic+cold watersoluble film or slit strips of polymeric films or PVA threads woven orintertwined offline or strips of polymeric film inserted/cast/coatedonto another polymeric film and incorporated into the paper during thepaper making process.

The term “polymeric film” is to be construed accordingly to include allof these for the purpose of this invention.

The strength of the paper will depend upon the type of film orcombination of different types of polymeric films incorporated into thepulp bed and the thickness of the films. For example, a paperincorporated with CWSF having a thickness of 25 microns will have lesserstrength than a paper incorporated with a C-H combination having athickness of 25 microns and this has been proved by the experiments asdescribed later.

Similarly, the NSHF or its combination will have more strength than, forexample, a C-H combination, while NSNHF shall have better strength thanNSHF.

Also, as the thickness of the film increases, the strength of the paperwill increase. The thickness of the film or its combinations ranges from5 microns to 150 microns, preferably from 10 microns 70 microns, morepreferably from 15 microns to 35 microns.

If the film is a cold water soluble film, it may dissolve during thepaper making process and be absorbed into the fibres of the paper web.Alternatively, the water soluble film may remain intact and adhere tothe paper web. Alternatively, the water soluble film may comprise acombination of at least one film that dissolves and at least one filmthat remains intact.

The preformed film may be plain or perforated wholly, partially orrandomly.

In one of the embodiments of the invention, the paper is strengthened byinserting a combination of cold and hot water soluble films during thepaper making process. Hence, while the combined film is incorporatedinto the pulp fibres, the cold water soluble film will solubilise withinthe pulp fibres, while the hot water soluble film will remain intact dueto the differential temperature of pulp-water slurry, therebystrengthening the paper.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the paper is strengthened byinserting a cold water soluble film during the paper making process. Thecold water soluble film will solubilise into the pulp fibres and hencestrengthen the paper.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the paper is strengthened byinserting a hot water soluble film, optionally perforated selectivelyduring the paper making process. The hot water soluble film will notsolubilise into the pulp fibres due to the differential temperature ofpulp-water slurry and hence strengthen the paper.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the paper is strengthened byinserting a water insoluble hydrophilic film made from mixing analkaline material into the hot water or cold water soluble film batchmix instead of the water soluble film(s) mentioned in the aboveembodiments. This film, which is optionally perforated selectively, willnot dissolve into the pulp fibres but will become tacky due to itshydrophilic nature and shall adhere to the partially formed bed of pulp.Hence, the film will remain intact and thus give added strength to thefinal product. This film can be used particularly when the water-pulpslurry temperature is a little higher.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the paper is strengthened byinserting a non soluble, non hydrophilic perforated film, which isoptionally perforated selectively, during the paper making process. Thefilm will not dissolve into the pulp fibres and remain intact inside thepaper web, hence increasing the strength of the paper.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the paper is strengthened byinserting a combination of cold and hot and cold water soluble films.The hot water soluble film used here can be optionally perforatedselectively. The cold water soluble films will solubilise into the pulpfibres while the hot water soluble film will remain intact due to thedifferential temperature of pulp-water slurry, thus strengthening thepaper.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the paper is strengthened byinserting a combination of cold water soluble film and non solublehydrophilic film, to strengthen the paper. The non soluble hydrophilicfilm used here can be optionally perforated selectively. The cold watersoluble film will solubilise into the pulp fibres while the non watersoluble hydrophilic film will not dissolve into the pulp fibres but willbecome tacky due to its hydrophilic nature and shall adhere to thepartially formed bed of pulp. Hence, the film will remain intact andthus give added strength to the final product. This film can be usedparticularly when the water-pulp slurry temperature is a little higher.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the paper is strengthened byinserting a combination of cold water soluble film+non solublehydrophilic film+cold water soluble film, to strengthen the paper. Thenon soluble hydrophilic film used here can be optionally perforatedselectively. The cold water soluble films will solubilise into the pulpfibres while the non water soluble hydrophilic film will not dissolveinto the pulp fibres but will become tacky due to its hydrophilic natureand shall adhere to the partially formed bed of pulp. Hence, the filmwill remain intact and thus give added strength to the final product.This film can be used particularly when the water-pulp slurrytemperature is a little higher.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the paper is strengthened byinserting a combination of cold water soluble film and non soluble nonhydrophilic film. The non soluble non hydrophilic film used here can beoptionally perforated selectively. The cold water soluble film willsolubilise into the pulp fibres while the non water soluble nonhydrophilic film will not dissolve into the pulp fibres and will remainintact and thus give added strength to the final product. This film canbe used particularly when the water-pulp slurry temperature is a littlehigher.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the paper is strengthened byinserting a combination of cold water soluble film+non soluble nonhydrophilic film+cold water soluble film, to strengthen the paper. Thenon soluble non hydrophilic film used here can be optionally perforatedselectively. The cold water soluble films will solubilise into the pulpfibres while the non water soluble non hydrophilic film will notdissolve into the pulp fibres and will remain intact and thus give addedstrength to the final product. This film can be used particularly whenthe water-pulp slurry temperature is a little higher.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the paper is strengthened byinserting a combination of polymeric films including strips of filmswherein the strips are inserted/cast/coated onto another film, todeliver security features that are embedded/printed within/on the filmstrips.

For example, strips of HWSF consisting security features areinserted/cast/coated on a cold water soluble film. The cold watersoluble film will solubilise into the pulp fibres increasing thestrength of the paper while the hot water soluble film with securityfeatures will remain intact due to the differential temperature ofpulp-water slurry, thus solving the problem of micro-text words or logosfloating within the matrix of the paper pulp which may happen whileusing only CWSF, or strips of CWSF.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the paper is strengthened byinserting a matrix of strips of polymeric films or PVA threadsinter-woven by a warp and weft method. The strips may be formed from acombination of different types of films. The hot water soluble film ornon soluble hydrophilic film or non soluble non hydrophilic film usedhere can be optionally perforated selectively. The cold water solublestrips will solubilise into the pulp fibres while the HWSH/NSHF/NSNHFstrips will remain intact and hence strengthen the paper.

According to a second aspect, the present invention provides paper madeby the method according to the first aspect of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail, byway of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a first process for manufacturing high strength paperaccording to the invention; and

FIG. 2 shows a second process for manufacturing high strength paperaccording to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, the process of incorporating a polymeric film intothe paper during the paper making process by the cylinder mould methodis as follows:

-   -   1. Filling the vat (2) with the pulp-water slurry entering at        (4), the pulp content ranging from 5 to 7%.    -   2. Formation of the paper body on the outside of the rotating        cylinder (1) covered with a wire cloth. As the cylinder rotates,        water is removed from the inside of the cylinder and a layer of        fibres is formed on the outside. This is consolidated by a couch        roll (7), which squeezes more water away. The couch roll 7 also        peels the wet paper cleanly off the cylinder mould and transfers        it to the continuous moving belt (3).    -   3. Layering of a preformed polymeric film (8) onto the pulp        fiber bed at the couch roll 7 as shown in the figure.    -   4. Passing the construction through the vacuum boxes (9) to        remove excess water from the pulp bed. The fiber content in the        pulp increases to 30 to 40%.    -   5. Passing the construction through a press roll (10) to remove        excess water.    -   6. Sending the construction to dryers for further evaporating        the moisture from the paper web.

Similarly, the polymeric film can also be incorporated during thefourdrinier process of paper making.

During step 3, if the film is a CWSF, then the film will startdissolving as soon as it comes in contact with the pulp bed and will besucked into the paper when it passes through vacuum boxes.

If the film is a HWSF or NSHF or NSNHF or any of the combination havingat least one layer or strip of HWSF/NSHF/NSNHF, then the film will notdissolve and will stay on the surface of the pulp bed due to the lowercapacity of the vacuum suction box. Hence, if a HWSF or NSHF or NSNHF orany other combinations of films consisting HWSF/NSHF/NSNHF have to beincorporated into the pulp bed, a Twin former process may be required,depending upon the needs and ultimate quality of paper required.

As shown in FIG. 2, a first ply of wet paper is formed as the water-pulpslurry coming from the stock approach box (12) is dropped on acontinuous moving belt (11) by the first former (13). The temperature ofthe pulp water slurry in the stock approach box ranges 15° C. to 40° C.,more preferably from 25° C. to 30° C. The concentration of the pulpfibres in the pulp-water slurry in the stock approach box 12 is 5% to7%. The first ply of wet paper formed by the first former 13 constitutes80% of wt/thickness of the final paper.

A film or either a combination of film as unwound from the unwinder(15), is incorporated into the first ply of the wet paper web with thehelp of a guide roll (16), as shown in the figure.

A second ply of wet paper is formed on the film side of the first ply ofwet paper by the second former (14). The cylinder (14), covered with awire cloth, rotates in the vat (17) containing pulp-water slurry. As thecylinder 14 rotates, water is removed from the inside of the cylinder14, while a layer of pulp fibres is formed on the outside. This isconsolidated by the couch roll (18), which squeezes more water away. Thecouch roll 18 also peels the wet paper cleanly off the cylinder andtransfers it to the moving continuous belt, which carries it to thepress section 19. The second ply of wet paper formed by the secondformer constitutes of 20% of wt/thickness of the final paper.

More water is removed at the press section (19), and the two ply paperis further sent to dryers for further evaporating the moisture from thepaper web.

When a C-H combination of film has to be incorporated into the paper bytwin former, the CWSF side of the combined film should be in contactwith the first ply of wet paper. Hence, the CWSF in contact with the wetpaper will start dissolving and merge with the fibres, while the HWSFwill remain on the surface of the wet paper as it does not dissolve attemperatures below 55° C. Hence, a second layer of paper is formed onthe HWSF side so that HWSF will not show on the surface.

Similarly, the other combinations of polymeric films can also beincorporated into the paper, with CWSF side facing the first ply of wetpaper web.

The following experiments were conducted in the lab to prove theinvention:

Forming Paper:

-   -   1. We got some dehydrated virgin pulp from a paper mill and cut        the pulp matrix into small pieces and soaked the pieces in warm        water in the large tub overnight.    -   2. We filled the blender halfway with warm water, then added a        handful of the soaked pulp pieces. We blended the pieces until        no pieces of pulp sheet were seen. This formed into the        pulp-water slurry.    -   3. We poured the blended mixture into the large tub and then        filled the tub with warm water, mixing thoroughly until the        ingredients were evenly dispersed.    -   4. We slide a screen/sieve into the tub and allowed some pulp to        settle onto the screen and while still holding the screen        underwater, gently moved it back and forth to get an even layer        of fibers on the screen.    -   5. We lifted the screen out of the slurry, keeping it flat and        allowed it to drip over the tub until most of the water has        drained through.    -   6. We dried the wet paper with the help of a hair dryer and then        left it to dry for few hours to remove excess water.    -   7. When the paper was dry, we gently peeled it off from the        screen to form a hand made paper. We weighed the paper, which        was 110 GSM.    -   8. We tested the tensile strength of this paper as per standard        D 882 on a universal testing machine (UTM).

Forming Paper Incorporated with CWSF:

-   -   1. We dipped a screen into the tub containing pulp-water slurry        as formed in the above process and allowed some pulp to settle        onto the screen and while still holding the screen underwater,        gently moved it back and forth to get an even layer of fibers on        the screen.    -   2. We lifted the screen out of the slurry, keeping it flat and        allowed it to drip over the tub until most of the water has        drained through and placed the screen on the floor.    -   3. We layered the top of the wet paper with 30 microns CWSF. As        soon as the CWSF came in contact with wet paper, it started        dissolving and after some time dissolved completely.    -   4. We dried the wet paper+CWSF with the help of a hair dryer and        then left it to dry for few hours to remove excess water.    -   5. When the paper+CWSF was dry, we gently peeled it off from the        screen to form a high strength paper. The thickness of this        construction was 110 GSM.    -   6. We tested the tensile strength of this paper+CWSF as per        standard D 882 on a universal testing machine (UTM).

Forming Paper Incorporated with HWSF:

-   -   1. We dipped a screen into the tub containing pulp-water slurry        as formed in the above process and allowed some pulp to settle        onto the screen and while still holding the screen underwater,        gently moved it back and forth to get an even layer of fibers on        the screen.    -   2. We lifted the screen out of the slurry, keeping it flat and        allowed it to drip over the tub until most of the water has        drained through and placed the screen on the floor.    -   3. We layered the top of the wet paper with 20 microns HWSF. As        soon as the HWSF came in contact with wet paper, it became tacky        but did not dissolve.    -   4. We formed another layer of wet pulp on another screen and let        the water drip as explained above and we gently put this screen        on top of the HWSF side of the wet paper as formed in step 3.    -   5. We dried the wet paper+HWSF+paper with the help of a hair        dryer and then left it to dry overnight to remove excess water.    -   6. When the paper+HWSF+paper was dry, we gently peeled it off        from the screen to form a high strength paper.    -   7. We tested the tensile strength of this paper+HWSF+paper as        per standard D 882 on a universal testing machine (UTM).

Similarly, a C-H combination of WSF (20 microns) was incorporated intothe paper as per the above process.

Care was taken that the thickness of the paper incorporated withpolymeric film was kept constant.

The strength comparison of paper, paper incorporated with CWSF, paperincorporated with HWSF and paper incorporated with C-H combination ofWSF is shown table 1:

Tensile Strength % Elongation Peak Load Mech. Props. Kg/cm² % Kg Paper(110 GSM) 66.53 2.1 1.82 Paper incorporated with 135.05 5.56 4.33 CWSF(110 GSM) Paper incorporated with 97.67 4.15 2.686 HWSF (110 GSM) Paperincorporated with C-H 122.07 5.7 3.357 combination (110 GSM)

As will be appreciated, the present invention provides a process formaking paper that is strengthened by the incorporation of a film duringthe manufacturing process. The film may be electively soluble attemperatures above or below the temperature of the water contained inthe paper substrate to which it is applied during the process or it maybe non soluble. In this way, the manner in which the film isincorporated into the finished paper can be controlled. For example, thecold water soluble film will dissolve in the pulp bed and a hot watersoluble film will remain intact and combinations of films which maydissolve or remain intact or combinations of any of these films may beemployed.

For the purpose of this specification, “a polymeric article” is regardedas comprising an article of matter made from a polymer in the form of apolymeric film, polymeric film strips inserted/cast/coated on apolymeric film, polymeric strips inter-woven into a matrix by warp andweft method, polymeric threads inter-woven into a matrix by warp andweft method and the like and combinations thereof.

What has been described above are preferred aspects of the presentinvention. It is of course not possible to describe every conceivablecombination of components or methodologies for purposes of describingthe present invention, but one of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize that many further combinations and permutations of the presentinvention are possible. Accordingly, the present invention is intendedto embrace all such alterations, combinations, modifications, andvariations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

1. A method of making a high strength paper by incorporating a polymericfilm into the paper web during the paper making process.
 2. A methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the polymeric film applied to a wet paperpulp web is a cold water soluble film that dissolves and is absorbedinto the pulp fibres.
 3. A method according to claim 1 wherein thepolymeric film applied to a wet paper pulp web is a hot water solublefilm that remains intact and adheres to the web.
 4. A method accordingto claim 1 wherein the polymeric film applied to a wet paper pulp web isa non soluble hydrophilic film that remains intact and adheres to theweb.
 5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the polymeric film appliedto a wet paper pulp web is a non soluble non hydrophilic film thatremains intact in the web.
 6. A method according to claim 1 wherein thepolymeric film applied to wet paper pulp web is a combination of coldand hot water soluble films wherein the cold water soluble filmdissolves and is absorbed into the pulp fibres and the hot water film(s)remains intact and adheres to the web.
 7. A method according to claim 1wherein the polymeric film applied to wet paper pulp web is acombination of cold water soluble and non soluble hydrophilic filmswherein the cold water soluble film dissolves and is absorbed into thepulp fibres and the non soluble hydrophilic film remains intact andadheres to the web.
 8. A method according to claim 1 wherein thepolymeric film applied to wet paper pulp web is a combination of coldwater soluble and non soluble non hydrophilic films wherein the coldwater film dissolves and is absorbed into the pulp fibres and the nonsoluble non hydrophilic film remains intact in the web.
 9. A methodaccording to claim 1 wherein the polymeric film applied to wet paperpulp web is a cold water soluble film inserted/cast/coated with hotwater soluble film strips or non soluble hydrophilic film strips or viceversa.
 10. A method according to claim 1 wherein the polymeric filmapplied to wet paper pulp web is in the form of a matrix wherein one ormore polymeric films or PVA threads are inter-woven into a matrix bywarp and weft method.
 11. A method according to claim 9 or 10 whereinthe width/size of the polymeric film strips range from 3 mm to 15 mm,preferably from 4 mm to 10 mm, more preferably from 5 mm to 7 mm.
 12. Amethod according to claim 10 wherein the size of the PVA thread rangesfrom 50 deniers to 1000 deniers, preferably 150 deniers to 700 deniers,more preferably from 300 deniers to 500 deniers.
 13. A method accordingto claim 1, wherein the polymeric film, preferably a cold water solublefilm, is applied to the wet paper pulp web during a cylinder mouldprocess of paper making comprising the following steps: a. filling thevat with the pulp-water slurry entering; b. formation of the paper bodyon the outside of the rotating cylinder covered with a wire cloth; c.layering of a preformed polymeric film onto the pulp fiber bed at thecouch roll; d. passing the construction through the vacuum boxes toremove excess water from the pulp bed; e. passing the constructionthrough press roll to remove excess water and then to dryers for furtherevaporating the moisture from the paper web.
 14. A method according toclaim 1, wherein the polymeric film is applied to the wet paper pulp webduring a twin former process of paper making comprising the followingsteps: a. formation of first ply of wet paper web by the first former ona continuous moving belt; b. incorporation of the polymeric film intothe first ply of the wet paper web with the help of a guide roll; c.formation of the second ply of wet paper on the polymeric film side ofthe first ply of wet paper by the second former; d. passing theconstruction through press section to remove excess water and then todryers for further evaporating the moisture from the paper web.
 15. Amethod according to claim 13 or 14 wherein the polymeric film includesat least one film that remains intact between the first and second webs.16. A method according to claim 13 or 14 wherein the polymeric filmincludes at least one film that dissolves and is absorbed into the pulpfibres of the first and/or second webs.
 17. A method according to claim13 or 14 wherein the polymeric film comprises a combination of at leasttwo films wherein at least one film is a water soluble film.
 18. Amethod according to claims 1 to 17 wherein one or more polymeric filmsis perforated.
 19. Paper made by the method according to any precedingclaim.
 20. Paper according to claim 19 wherein the polymeric film isincorporated into the fibres of the paper during the cylinder mouldprocess of paper making.
 21. Paper according to claim 19 wherein thepolymeric film is incorporated between two webs of the paper during thetwin former process of paper making.
 22. Paper according to any of theclaims 19 to 21 wherein the polymeric film is a water soluble filmformed from materials selected from the group comprising polyvinylalcohol copolymer ionomers, polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer, non-ionomericpoly vinyl alcohol polymer, Polymethacrylate, polyvinyl alcohol,polyacrylamide, polymethacrylamide, polyacrylic acid, polymethacrylicacid, polyurethane and edible film forming materials likepolyethyleneglycol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, proteinaceous binders such asgelatin, modified gelatins such as phthaloyl gelatin, polysaccharidessuch as starch, gum Arabic, pullulan and dextrin and water solublecellulose derivatives or combination thereof. The cellulose derivativesused are methyl cellulose, hydroxy propyl cellulose, hydroxy propylmethyl cellulose, hydroxy propyl ethyl cellulose, hydroxy ethylcellulose, carboxy methyl cellulose.
 23. Paper according to any of theclaims 19 to 21 wherein the polymeric film is a non soluble nonhydrophilic film selected from PP (Poly propylene), PE (Poly ethylene),LDPE (Low density poly ethylene), HDPE (high density polyethylene),LLDPE (Linear low density polyethylene), HIPS (High impact polystyrene),HMHDPE (High molecular high density polyethylene), BOPP (Biaxiallyoriented poly propylene).
 24. Paper according to any of the claims 19 to21 wherein the polymeric film is a non soluble non hydrophilic film madefrom biodegradable materials such as PLA (Poly Lactic Acid), PHA(polyhydroxyalkanoic acid), thermoplastic starch materials orbiodegradable polyesters such as ecoflex.
 25. Paper according to any ofclaims 19 to 24 wherein the polymeric film has a thickness ranging from5 microns to 150 microns, preferably from 10 microns 70 microns, morepreferably from 15 microns to 35 microns.
 26. Paper according to claim21 wherein the paper comprises at least two plies.
 27. Paper accordingto claim 22 having a polymeric film between the plies.